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Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes showed why he is one of the most feared attackers in world football after scoring the decisive blow to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup.
A back and forth period opened the contest before the sloppy work of central midfielder Rhys Williams delivered Man Utd the first real chance of the game.
Williams’ indecision allowed Edinson Cavani to jump into midfield before feeding Mason Greenwood down the right.
The youngster’s many passes left a meter of space, but his shot went over the nearby post to leave Alisson Becker alone.
The Reds’ lack of goals in recent weeks had become a major talking point, but a clinical step of the game in the 19th minute seemed to put an end to those buzz.
Roberto Firmino picked up the ball in a deep position and pushed Mohamed Salah aside. The Egyptian had evaded Victor Lindelof’s lax marking, and carefully nailed the ball over attacker Dean Henderson to put Liverpool one up.
“That was Liverpool at their clinical best!”
Mira Man Utd v Liverpool at the # FA Cup Live @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/Tjw0tEHnAl#MUNLIV #soccer pic.twitter.com/rh9RDQHhQr
– Match of the day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
That lead was short-lived when Man Utd produced a signature counter at breakneck pace.
Donny Van de Beek found Marcus Rashford down the left before the England international made a sublime 40-yard pass to the prowler Greenwood.
Opting to shoot through the goal this time, Greenwood threw the ball past Alisson to level the score.
Rashford’s pass! 🎯
The Greenwood finish! 💥Mira Man Utd v Liverpool at the # FA Cup Live @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #soccer pic.twitter.com/ZDIk1WCawO
– Match of the day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
The Red Devils continued to offer a threat from the corners, but Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay’s radars were off as their efforts flew above the bar.
Pogba saw a curly shot that drifted just off the post as halftime approached with the home team on the rise.
Man Utd picked up where he left off after the break and took the lead after another error by Williams.
The center half couldn’t deal with Greenwood’s ball over the top, allowing Rashford to grab and slide his shot low inside the second post to make it 2-1.
James Milner missed a glorious opportunity to level his flank from close range, but it didn’t matter as Salah would improve a few seconds later.
Firmino’s cut was faked by Milner when Salah stroked his shot between Henderson’s legs.
Liverpool were firmly on the rise and Salah saw his hattrick attempt saved when facing Sadio Mane seemed like the best option.
An increasingly rare foray into Liverpool’s field brought a free kick on the edge of the box after Fabinho dropped Cavani.
Bruno Fernandes, fresh off the bench, stepped forward and fired into the bottom corner with supreme precision.
WHAT A SUCCESS!
Bruno Fernandes 👏
Mira Man Utd v Liverpool at the # FA Cup Live @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZES1Qac#MUNLIV #soccer pic.twitter.com/m0GxrWxVCN
– Match of the day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
Cavani hit the post after a precise cross from Fernandes, but it didn’t matter as time ran out for any possible Liverpool comeback.
Man Utd’s reward for advancing is a date with West Ham in the fifth round.
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